Is left right? and other pattern mysteries

[J G Parker]

Question concerning how to join the pattern at an airport...

Recently realized that I am confused about how to define a left vs. right approach pattern in response to ATC commands. Recently I was approaching a runway from the northeast (heading 225). The rwy heading is 36 (to simplify things). ATC Tower cleared me to land and said 'fly right downwind'. I overflew the runway, turned 180 for downwind, then 90 for base, and 360 for final. That is, I assumed they wanted me to enter downwind TO MY RIGHT. Later I started thinking that I should have turned 180 downwind BEFORE the airfield, then 270, then 360. The downwind leg would have been right of the runway looking north from the south but my left coming from the northeast. In a similar circumstance at another airport I was also directed to 'fly right base.' Once again I overflew the rwy and then joined, but now I think I should have done the opposite.

What are the rules of thumb here? In real life, I'd probably be giving other pilots a scare! If I'm incorrect, ATC doesn't seem to mind, since they don't say anything.  But stray 300 ft off altitude...

[Craig.]

it basically means all turns to the runway should be right turns

[Calb]

Whoa! The actions you describe at the beginning were wrong -- contrary to what ATC directed.

As you approached from the NE on a heading of 225, runway 36 is on your right and almost in the opposite direction.  This means the downwind leg is on a heading of 180 and in the case of the right-hand circuit (as directed by ATC), it means it is on EAST SIDE of Rwy36.

In this instance, ATC wanted you to join the circuit (pattern) on the downwind leg. ATC will almost always clear you for the shortest path to a landing.  In your scenario, the downwind leg was directly in front of you, on the NEAR (east) side of the airport. You should have simply turned left to 180 at an appropriate distance east of the airport, do your downwind checks and then flown the base, final approach and landing as per normal.

At a controlled airport, the direction of the pattern is dictated by ATC. Otherwise, it is almost always left handed.  In the real world, ATC may change from left to right pattern for the same runway due to sun glare -- in other words, visibility.

How you join a pattern is not cast in stone. If ATC clears you to land and says, "fly right BASE", they mean you are cleared to join the pattern on the base leg following the shortest path to it from your present position. Your present position is the key factor in determining what they want you to do.  For example, if you were approaching that airport generally from the south, in all likelihood they would clear you for a "straight-in" approach.  In other words, the only pattern "leg" you be flying is final approach. Another example....helicopters are routinely squeezed thru gaps in the pattern because they don't need the runways. This is not a concession made to helicopters -- they are bound by the same rules as fixed-wing -- ATC simply tries to take advantage of the fact.

The bottom line for ATC is to dispose of traffic as quickly as possible without sacrificing safety. One time you may be given a "short cut" and the next time you'll have to fly most or all of the pattern.

You post indicates you have slight misconception of how the various legs of the pattern are labelled. I suggest you review them.

Cheers,

Cal

[J G Parker]

Thanks all, especially Cal.  VERY helpful.  As I said, when I pondered things later I became concerned I should have entered the pattern at downwind east of the airport, not west.  But in the heat of the moment and being a rookie...

ATC seems to have it right,  right downwind was shorter. The AI traffic is STILL shaking in its boots!

[codered]

If you want to go for even more realism, when you fly to an uncontrolled airport, always fly the pattern.  Announce your position about 5 miles out, enter on the 45 for the active runway then fly downwind, base and final.  Call every leg as you do this.  

[BE58D]

Anyone one know what the standard traffic pattern is (besides Calb), is it left or right traffic? Just curious to see who else knows.

[J G Parker]

codered, yes I do that typically, at uncontrolled airports.  adds to the realism, as you suggest.  and the pattern I fly when the discretion is mine is left (i.e. based on my new-found understanding, all left turns to land.)  I understand the left pattern is the typical pattern, because visability to the runway is better  on base.

[packercolinl]

Don't forget the effect weather has on your flight plan and how you approach an airport. The information is there and if you use it correctly the majority of the time ATC will simply confirm what you have already done to set yourself up for landing

[MattNW]

The AI traffic is STILL shaking in its boots!

GOOD I'm glad someone finally gave them a taste of their own medicine.  ;D

[J G Parker]

packercolinl, ur referring the wind direction I assume?  Or something else?

 I do take that into account.  Interestingly, since I now use ActiveSky wxRE, weather conditions (especially this spring) can change rapidly and the active rwy at desitination when I depart may change when I am a few miles out.  In fact, ATC on an IFR recently directed me to a FAF and when I crossed and went to receive clearance to land from tower, they directed me to the opposite end.  Pretty good scramble as I was perfectly lined up for once (over flew and did a teardrop entry at the opposite end).  I've since learned that wxRE has a setting where you can lock the weather from updating (to a possible new wind direction) when you are within a few miles of the airport to avoid this.  Guess I should use it.  On VFR I just try to make a call on which rwy when wxRE gives me a weather update and I'm about 10 miles out.  

[J G Parker]

while we're on the subject...on some approach plates I see a reference to a "circle to land" approach.  I also understand the in FS2k4, you will receive a circle to land assignment to an alternate rwy if you refuse their initial rwy assignment.  What is a "circle to land" approach?

[packercolinl]

I fly VFR all the time and wind is the main concern. Most of the time you've got only two options for an approach.
Whichever system you are using to download latest weather you should still have a plan to deviate from the flight plan for a left or right circuit with an approriate change in V/S etc to get you in the right place to land.
So when ATC does the dirty on you,you can sit back and laugh! "got you pr^%ks covered"
I work near an airport and some our customers are on the approaches. What I see there with aircraft on approach(even small) is these guys are set up many miles out, so obviously they have all the info they need a long time beforehand. I try to apply the same theory within the confines of FS2002.

Circle to land I don't know.

One last:to my knowledge a 'standard' pattern is always left.
 
Cheers  :)